On Tuesday, the House passed second reading of Bill 6, Correctional Services Transformation Act, 2018. Based on the motion passed last week, this Bill was automatically referred to the Standing Committee on Justice Policy for Public hearings on Thursday April 19th. The Bill would, if passed, transform the corrections system to ensure both public safety and the protection of the human rights and dignity of people in custody. Only the Conservatives voted against the Bill on second reading.

Also on Tuesday, the Minister of Labour introduced Bill 53, Government Contract Wages Act, 2018. This Bill would, if passed ensure government employees working construction, building cleaning or security are paid the fair prevailing wage in those sectors. This initiative builds on previous efforts by the government to promote fairer employment including: raising the minimum wage, ensuring part time workers are paid the same as full-time workers and providing survivors of gender based violence with paid leave.

In Private Members’ Business:

Bill 50, Supporting Wine Jobs and Growth in the Niagara Region Act, 2018, sponsored by NDP MPP Wayne Gates passed second reading in the House. The Bill would, if passed, exempt wine made with 100% of grapes grown in Ontario and ciders made with 100% of apples grown in Ontario from the basic tax rate of 6.1% on sales at on-sites winery retail stores. The LCBO already supports Ontario wine in its stores using a variety of tools including preferential in-store placement, dedicated shelf space and an annual promotional month.

Motion #29 sponsored by PC MPP Norm Miller also passed in the House. The motion called on the government to become a leader in compostable packaging. The government has already taken historic measures on environmental protection -not least of which is the cap and trade program that recently invested $471 million into initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Bill 52, Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions Act, 2018, sponsored by NDP MPP Teresa Armstrong also passed second reading in the House. The Bill would, if passed, establish a ministry of mental health and addictions. In Bill 31, the government has committed to invest $2.1 billion over the next 4 years expand access to integrated, high-quality mental health and addictions services for all Ontarians.